Council votes to increase budget for city's arena

Christchurch City Council is increasing the budget for the city’s multi-use arena and committing to a design and construction contract that will see building get under way by the year’s end.

“Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and it should have a multi-use arena where top international acts can perform and the All Blacks, the Crusaders and other sporting greats can play.  We also need to be preparing for the future of entertainment and Esports is taking off around the world.

"That was the strong message we got from the public during the consultation process and today we have responded to that,’’ says Mayor Lianne Dalziel.

“We have agreed to increase the budget for the arena to $683 million and we are going to enter into a Design and Construction contract with lead contractor BESIX Watpac so that we can put the debate about the arena behind us and get on with building it.''